Fire-hydrant.



W. W. COREY.

PIRE HYDRANT. y

APPLIOATION FILED 111111125, 1910.'

- Peteneed Feb. '7, 1911.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM W. COREY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

FIRE-HYDRANT.

esaaes.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM W. COREY, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Fire-Hydrants, of which the following is a full, clear,and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art towhich it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is aside elevation of my improved hydrant with parts thereofshown in vertical section. Fig. 2 .is an enlarged detail view taken onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section of anadj ustable coupling utilized in connecting the two parts of the valveoperating rod. Fig. 1- is an elevation partly in section of the barrelor cylinder utilized as the drain valve housing at the lower end of thehydrant casing. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5 5 ofFig. l. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the flexible body of the mainvalve utilized in my improved hydrant.

My invention relates to a fire-hydrant of the type shown and describedin Letters Patent issued to me March 12, 1895, No. 535,614-, December 3,1895, No. 550,595 and Patent No. 110,026 issued to E. L. Rowe, August27, 1889.

The principal object of my present invention is to generally improve andsimplify the construction of the type of hydrants shown and described inthe patents above referred to, and particularly to provide a simpleadjustable connection between the adjacent ends of the two parts of thevalve operating rod, at the point where the same passes through the topof the stand pipe, to support the central portion ofthe threaded sectionof the valve operating rod, and hold the same against flexure, toimprove the construction of the drain valve and the barrel or housing`in which said drain valve oper" ates, and to provide a simple selfpacking flexible main valve body, which is constructed and so mounted asto prevent leakage through the opening in the center of said valve body.

To the above purposes my invention con sists in the construction,arrangements and combination of the several parts comprising myinvention, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring by numerals to the accompany- Speocaton of Letters Patent.

Application led July 25, 1910.

Patented Feb. '7, 1911.

Serial No. 573,795.

ing drawings 1 designates the stand pipe, 2 the head on the upper endthereof, and 3 the lower portion of the stand pipe, which lower portionis provided with a lateral extension t within which is arranged a valveseat 5.

All of the parts just described are of the type now in general use.

6 designates the main section of the valve operating rod the ends ofwhich are square or non-circular cross section.

7 designates the short section of the valve rod which is arranged forrotation in a suitable packed bearing 7 a in the head Q, and detachablyconnected to the lower end of the section 6 is the threaded section 8 ofthe valve rod, which threaded section occupies the part 3 of the standpipe. Part of this section 8 is provided with a right-hand thread, andthe remaining part is provided with a left-hand thread. Thisconstruction is essential to bring about the proper movement of theblocks or nuts mounted on the threaded section, and the movement ofwhich blocks or nuts controls the movement of the main valve of thehydrant.

In the manufacture of the various parts of a hydrant the stand pipe 1and the section G of the valve operating rod often vary in length, andto overcome this slight defect I propose to arrange an adjustableconnection for the sections 6 and 7 of the valve operating rod, whichadjustable connection is located in the head of the stand pipe 1,immediately below the packed bearing 7L in which the section 7 operates.

Arranged for rotation in a suitable bearing formed in the head of thestand pipe 1 is a sleeve 9 in the upper portion of which is formed asquare or non-circular recess 10 and leading therefrom downward througha stem 9a, formed on the lower end of the sleeve 9 is a square ornon-circular opening 11 adapted to receive the upper end of the valveoperating rod 6. The lower portion of the section 7 is provided with aflange 12 which normally rests on top of the sleeve 9 and projectingdownward from the sectionV recess 17 adapted to receive the upper end ofthe section 6 of the valve operating rod.

XV hen the parts just' describedare assembled to connect the sections 6and 7 of the valve operating rod the sleeve 9 is positioned in itsbearing with the upper end of the section 6 extending through thenon-circular opening 11, through the stem 9a; the stem 15 is now screwedinto and out of the bore 14 to adjust the part in such a manner so thatwhen the `parts are assembled the block 16 engages the upper end of thesection 6, and the iiange 12 is forced upward and bears against theunderside of the bearing 7a.

The adjustment of the threaded stem in the section 7 takes place beforethe block 16 and stem 15 are inserted in the sleeve 9, and before thesleeve 9 is inserted in its bearing in the head 2.

After the parts are properly adjusted, the block 16 is inserted in therecess 10 in the sleeve 9 and the upper end of the rod 6 engages in therecess 17 after which the gland of the bearing 7a is tightened aroundthe section 7 above the flange 12, and with the parts so arranged thevalve rod ,6 will be rotated whenever the section 7 is rotated, owing tothe manner in which the parts 13, 9, 9a and 6 fitted to one another.

AThe means for supporting the central portion of the threaded rod 8, andholding the same against flexure, comprises a block 18, in which thecentral portion of the threaded rod is loosely mounted for rotation andsaid block is held against longitudinal movement upon said rod, by meansof a pin 19 seated in the block and occupying a groove y2O formed insaid threaded rod.

Formed on or fixed to the sides of this block 18 are lateral extensionsin the form of lugs 21 which normally occupy grooves 22 formed in theinner face of the part 3 of the stand pipe and which grooves areformedbetween vertically disposed ribs 23 (see Fig.

These ribs 23 are preferably formed integral with the wall of the part3, of the stand pipe, at a point directly opposite the extension t inwhich the valve seat 5 1s formed, and said ribs extend above and below`the center of the rod 8 a distance approximately equal to half thelength of said rod. The primary object of said ribs is to form a bearingor seat for the lugs 21 on the block 18 and prevent said block and thecentral portion of the threaded rod from moving rearwardly, laterally ineither direction, or toward the main valve opening. This support forthecentral portion of the threaded rod is essential, inasmuch, as whilethe main valve is closed or partially closed there is considerable waterpressure exerted Vagainst said main valve, whichy pressure rtends to`force the valve toward and ontoV its seau` thereby tending to pull therod 8 out of its vertical alinement. The secondary object of these ribsis to provide guides for the lower working parts of the hydrantincluding the drain valve, when said parts are moved into and out ofposition, while being assembled, or replaced during repair.

Threaded blocks 24. are mounted upon the threaded portions of the rod 8and pivotally connected to said blocks are the rear ends of a pair oflinks 25. The forward ends of these links are pivotally connected to adisk 26 forming the base of the main valve of the hydrant, and formedintegral with the outer face of this disk is a boss 27 from whichprojects a stem 28, the outer end of which is threaded.

29 designates the body of the main valve which is preferably constructedof rubber, and provided with a beveled face 30 adapted to fit snuglyagainst the seat Formed in the rear side of the body of the valve is arecess 31, which receives the boss 27 and formed through the center ofthe body of the valve is an aperture 32 through which the stem 28projects.

Formed in the outer face of the body of the valve is a recess 33 whichreceives a boss 34e formed on the rear side of` a plate or washer 35.This plate or washer is posif tioned on the outer face of the body ofthe valve, and the various parts are rigidly held in position by meansof a nut 34 located on the threaded end of the stem 28. When this nut 34is tightened the thin wall in the eentral portion of the body of thevalve between the recesses 31 and 33 is compressed to a, certain degree,thereby forming a tight joint between the wall of the aperture 31 andthe stem 28, thus forming a very thorough packing which prevents theleakage of water through the opening` in the center of the flexiblevalve body. Ordinarily a large opening is formed through the center ofthe.

valve body, and said large opening naturally permits leakage especiallyafter the valve has been 1n service for a considerable length of time.

Seated in the bottom of the part 3 of the stand pipe is the barrel orcylinder 36 for the drain valve, which barrel or cylinder is providedwith a valve opening 37 having the same diameter throughout its length,and formed through the upper port-ion of the. wall of this barrel is arseries of drain openings 38.

Formed on or fixed to the lower portion of the barrel 36 on oppositesides thereof are walls 39 inclosing the spaces 40, and formed on theinterior of the barrel 36 is an annular groove 41. This groove 41 is ofsuch depth as to extend entirely through the wall between the interiorof the barrel or cylinder 36 and the spaces 40. VThe opei1ings,wliichestablish communication between the inteare designated by 41a.

42 designates the body of the drain valve, which is preferablyconstructed o'lE rubber or analogous material, and which valve litssnugly within, and is adapted to slide through the valve chamber 37.Extending upwardly from this valve body is a stem 43 noncircular incross section, and the upper end of said stem is provided with athreaded head 44, which occupies the interiorly screw threaded bore 45,of a sleeve 46, which latter is rigidly fixed to the lower end of thethreaded section 8 of the valve rod.

A block 48 is loosely seated in and normally closes the upper end of thebarrel 36, and formed in the center ofsaid block is a non-circularopening adapted to receive the valve stem 43. Extensions 49 on the sidesof the block 48 normally bear against the inner face of the lowerportion of the stand pipe, thus preventing the block 48 and the valvefrom rotating with the main valve operating rod.

The block or holder 48 is loosely mounted in the upper end of the barrelof the drain valve housing in order that it can be readily removed whenthe parts of the drain valve are withdrawn from `the housing for thepurpose of repair, and such construction also makes it possible toattach said block together with the stem 43 when said parts are insertedin the barrel or housing.

Vhen the main valve of the hydrant is closed, as shown in Fig. l, thedrain valve 42 occupies a position within the barrel 36, below theopenings 41a, and wat-er from the lower portion of the part 3 of thestand pipe drains through the apertures 38 into the upper portion of thebarrel 36, and passes from thence into the groove 41, through theopenings 412L and finally through the spaces 40.

Vhen the valve operating rod is rotated to move the blocks 24 away fromone another, thereby opening the main valve, the sleeve 46 is rotated,thus causing the threaded block 44 to move upwardly in the threaded borein said sleeve, and elevating the valve 42, and when the 'latter closesthe openings 41a, the escape of'water through the drain valve is cutoil.

Then the main valve rod is rotated to open and close the main valve, thethreaded block on the upper end of the valve stem moves verticallywithin the sleeve 4G, and

as said valve stem occupies the noncircular opening in the block 48, itis prevented from rotating during its vertical movement.

I am aware that minor changes in the form arrangement and constructionoic the various parts of my improved hydrant may be made and substitutedfor those herein shown and described without departing from the spiritof my invention.

I claim:

1. In a hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe having a main valve..of a sectional valve operating rod, a sleeve which receives the adjacentends of two ot the sections of the valve operating rod, and alongitudinally adjustable member within said sleeve and forming aconnection between the sections of the valve operating rod.

2. In a hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe having U"a mainvalve, of a sectional valve operating rod, a sleeve mounted for rotationin the upper end of the stand pipe, which sleeve receives the adjacentends of two of the sections of the valve operating rod, and a memberwithin said sleeve which is adjustably mounted on the end of one of thesections of the valve operating rod, and engages the end oll theopposite section of said rod.

3. In a hydrant the combination with a stand pipe having a main valve,of a valve rod for operating the main valve, and means loosely mountedon said rod and held against longitudinal movement thereon for holdingsaid valve rod against `l'lexure.

4. In a hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe having a main valve,of a sectional valve operating rod and a member loosely mounted upon oneof the sections ot said valve rod, and held against longitudinalmovement thereon for holding said section of the valve rod againstlexure.

5. In a hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe having a main valve,of a sectional valve operating rod, a member loosely mounted upon one ofthe sections of said valve operating rod, and held against longitudinalmovement thereon, and which member engages the stand pipe to hold thesectional rod against flexure.

G. In a fire hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe and its valveseat, of a valve adapted to engage the valve seat, a valve operating rodhaving a threaded portion, means operated by said threaded portion andconnected to the valve for actuating the same, and means loosely mountedon the threaded portion of the rod, and held against longitudinalmovement thereon, for holding said rod against flexure.

7. In a lire hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe and its valveseat, of a valve adapted to engage the valve seat, a valve operating rodhaving oppositely pitched threaded portions, blocks on said threadedportions, connections between said blocks and the valve, and a supportloosely mounted on the threaded portion of the rod between the blocksthereon for holding the central portion of said rod against iiexure.

8. In a fire hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe, and its valveseat, of a valve adapted to engage the valve seat, a valve operating rodhaving oppositely pitched threaded portions, blocks on said threadedportions, connections between said blocks and the valve, and a blockloosely mounted on the threaded portion of the rod between the blocksthereon, which block bears against the standpipe.

9. In a fire hydrant,the combination with a stand pipe, vand its valveseat, of a lvalve adapted to engage the valve seat, a valve operatingrod having oppositely pitched threaded portions, blocks on said threadedportions, connections between said blocks and the valve, means looselymounted on the threaded portion of the rod b-etween the blocks thereon,and means on the stand pipe and engaging parts of the loosely mountedmeans for holding the same against lateral movement.

10. In a fire hydrant, the combination with a stand pipe and its valveseat, of a main valve adapted to engage upon said seat, and which mainvalve comprises a pair of plates provided with bosses projecting towardone another, means for clamping said plates together, and a flexiblevalve body interposed between said plates, and provided in its faceswith recesses which receive the bosses.

11. In a tire hydrant, the combination l with a stand pipe and its valveseat, of a main Valve adapted to engage upon said seat, and which mainvalve comprises a plate, a boss on the face thereof, a threaded stemprojecting from said boss, a iiexible body provided with a cent-rallyarranged aperture adapted to receive the stem, and there being a recessformed in the face of fthe flexible body, which recess receives the bosson the plate, a plate on the outer face of the flexible. body, and meansfor locking the parts together.

12. In a Vfire hydrant, the combination with a drain valve housing,there being outlet openings formed through the drain valve housing, adrain valve adapted to move freely through said drain valve housing, andmeans seated in the top of the drain valve housing for holding saiddrain valve against rotation during its vertical movement.

13. The combination with a hydrant having a main valve, and a valveoperating rod, of a drain valve housing in the lower end of the standpipe, the internal diameter of which housing is uniform throughout itslength, there being an outlet formed through the wall of the housing, adrain valve within the drain valve housing, a connection between saiddrain valve and valve rod, whereby said drain valve is raised or loweredwhen the valve operating rod is rotated, and a detaehable holder seatedin the upper end of the drain valve housing, directly in line with thevalve operating rod, and engaging a part of the drain valve stem forholding the same against rotation,

14. In a hydrant, the combination with a drain valve housing, of a valvearranged for operation therein, there being an annular groove formed inthe inner face of the housing and which groove is formed entirelythrough portions of the wall of the housing establishing communicationbetween the groove and the exterior of said housing.

15. In a hydrant, the combination with a drain valve housing, having auniform internal diameter throughout its length, of a valve arranged foroperation in said housing, there being an annular groove formed withinthe housing, and which groove is of such depth as to cut entirelythrough the wall ofthe housing for establishing communication betweenthe interior and the exterior of said housing.

16. In a hydrant the combination with a drain 'valve housing, of wallson the lower portion of said housing, which walls inclose outlet spaces,a valve arranged for operation within the housing, there being anannular groove formed in the inner face of the lower portion of thehousing, and which groove is of such depth as to cut through the wall ofthe housing between the interior thereof and the outlet spaces.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses, this 23d day of July, 1910.

WILLIAM lV. CORE Y.

Witnesses M. I). SMITH, B. S. REID.

